The F-35 is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multi-role aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant.

The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant intended for the air forces. It is the smallest, lightest F-35 version and is the only variant equipped with an internal cannon, the GAU-22/A. This 25 mm cannon is a development of the GAU-12 carried by the USMC's AV-8B Harrier II. It is designed for increased effectiveness compared to the 20 mm M61 Vulcan cannon carried by other USAF fighters.

The F-35B is the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the aircraft. Similar in size to the A variant, the B sacrifices some fuel volume to make room for the vertical flight system. Takeoffs and landing with vertical flight system are by far the riskiest, and in the end, a decisive factor in design. Like the AV-8B Harrier II, the B's guns will be carried in a ventral pod.

The F-35C carrier variant will have a larger, folding wing and larger control surfaces for improved low-speed control, and stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier landings. The larger wing area allows for decreased landing speed, increased range and payload, with twice the range on internal fuel.

The F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced 5th generation multirole fighter in the world, combining Very Low Observable stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and reduced sustainment costs. The Lightning II's sensor suite is the most powerful and comprehensive of any fighter in history and will merge with an unprecedented networking capability to give unmatched situational awareness. Supersonic launch of internal weapons, including maximum-speed (Mach 1.6) launch of internal air-to-air missiles, is a feature of all F-35s.Â

There has been quite a bit of discussion recently at another forum I'm a member of, as to which is 'better', the F-22 Raptor or F-35 Lightning II?

Although both are classed as fifth-generation fighters, it should be clear to most people that the F-35 is in fact more advanced than the F-22. But there are a lot of F-22 fanboys out there who simply will not have any of it!

But I say, who really cares? They're both made by the same company, in the same country (for the most part regarding the F-35), and they're both on the same side!

in my regards i respect both aircraft equally, but the big advantage the F-35 has over the F-22 is that it can operate from small airfields (STOL), helipads (VTOL) and carriers (CTOL) giving it a better reaction time to world events being able to land on the carriers or land on an unfinished airstrip at a moents notice and sail to their destination where as the F-22 would have to be either fly to a completed airstrip or be transported there.